Wildlife Poll Finds Little Change

The attitudes of farmers regarding wildlife access to crops has changed little from 1990 to 2000, according to the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll. In 2000, an estimated eight in ten farmers felt that it is important for wildlife to have access to their farmland, and about two-thirds felt that the animals have as much right to the land as farmers.

According to the 2000 survey by researcher Paul Lasley, eight out of every ten Iowa farmers said it is important for wildlife to have access to their farmland, and about two-thirds (67%) said the animals have as much right to the land as the farmers. When similar questions were asked during the 1990 survey, 69% agreed that wildlife has as much right to the land as farmers.

Although farmers agreed that wildlife has a right to access their farmland, most also believe the government should pay them to save habitat for wildlife.

From 1990 to 2000, there was a 12% decline in those who believe that the illegal killing of wildlife should result in stiff penalties, possibly due to the perception of wildlife overpopulation issues.